Joe Ellen (Traphagan) Landkamer passed away peacefully in her daughter Lisa’s home in Dayton, WY on the evening of May 15, 2023.

Joe Ellen was born September 2, 1941 to Joseph Harold and Geraldine Faye Traphagan of Lance Creek, WY. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1959 then moved to Cheyenne, WY where she worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation. One evening at the drive-in movie with friends, Joe Ellen reconnected with Lewis Landkamer of Fairbury, NE. The pair began dating and were married on December 10, 1960. Lew and Joe Ellen lived together in Cheyenne,WY, San Francisco, CA , and Butte, MT before moving back to Joe Ellen’s parents’ homestead north of Lance Creek, WY in 1963.

Joe Ellen was an active member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church and held many titles throughout her life including rural-route bus driver, VFW member, election judge, and more. She was involved in 4-H growing up and enjoyed helping her daughters with their fair projects each summer. Her favorite title, however, was just “Gram.” Joe Ellen loved strong coffee, doing crossword puzzles, sending her grandchildren themed cookies each holiday, and the Denver Broncos. Joe Ellen enjoyed refinishing furniture, shopping for antiques, and teaching her granddaughters how to cook. She transformed her home into a winter wonderland each Christmas and seemed to always have a hot meal on the table for family and friends.

Joe Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Faye Traphagan; sisters Patricia Trujillo and Margie Merchen; and twin sisters Clara Faye and Jo Ann Traphagan who died as infants. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Lewis Landkamer of Lance Creek, WY; daughters Lori Landkamer of Dayton, WY, Lisa Hanson of Dayton, WY, and Teresa (Tom) Hanner of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren Joseph Schrader of Billings, MT, Jaynee (Travis) Pardue of Laramie, WY, Eilish Hanson of Gillette, WY, Nadja (Jared) Perez of Loveland, CO, Alayna Goppert of Loveland, CO, and Megan Hanner of Fort Collins, CO; great-granddaughters Sophie Perez and Millie Perez of Loveland, CO; one soon-to-be-born great-grandson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Funeral proceedings will be held May 22, 2023 in Lusk, WY at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. A rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Ray Moss officiating.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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